Prabowo Says Leaders Must Be Unafraid to Adopt Unpopular Policies

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President recalls the courageous and exemplary leadership of former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, familiarly referred to as . According to Prabowo, from Gus Dur he learned that leaders must be unafraid to adopt unpopular policies to set an example.

“A leader must take daring steps despite it being unpopular,” he said during an opening speech at Nahdlatul Ulama’s 102nd anniversary in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

“Gus Dur was unpopular at that time, but he was brave,” he added.

Gus Dur’s commitment to presenting Islam as a religion of moderation, tranquility, and peace must be emulated, said Prabowo. During Gus Dur’s short-lived presidency, he added, the former president successfully steered Nahdlatul Ulama as a champion of religious tolerance.

"During Gus Dur’s era, if a minority group was threatened by radical groups, NU came forward to protect their places of worship,” said Prabowo.

Prabowo admitted that Gus Dur’s actions inspired him. The Gerindra Party chair claimed to have requested his subordinates to follow Gus Dur’s steps.

"When there were several churches and viharas threatened with bombs, I ordered Gerindra to guard these places of worship," said Prabowo.

According to Prabowo, the courage to self-introspect is also the key to establishing a clean government. “I’m inviting my colleagues in the Red and White Cabinet to dare to correct themselves and establish a clean government, free from misconduct and corruption. That is our resolve," said Prabowo.

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